The practical nurse in Community Care provides administrative support to clinicians, administrative and ancillary health care professionals through the Community Care Network of facilities within VA for purposes of coordinating non-VA medical care for Veterans across the inpatient and outpatient health care service, ordered and approved by their VA providers based on eligibility and deemed necessary for the best medical interest.

Duties

Functions of Assigned Duties: Medical Appointing and Support: The incumbent provides administrative support to clinicians, administrative and ancillary health care professionals throughout the Community Care Network of facilities and within VA for purposes of coordinating non-VA medical care for Veterans, across the inpatient and outpatient health care services ordered and approved by their VA providers based on eligibility and deemed as necessary for the best medical interest. The VA Community Care program requires administrative scheduling and appointment coordination for diagnostic testing, and consultative appointments and for many other qualifying community care clinical services. This position is responsible for generating authorizations and documents for pre-authorized medical care, while making eligibility determinations for the requested care based on the current VA policy, for care within the Community Care Network, Veteran Care agreements and/or current approved TPA avenues of non-VA medical care based on current policy. VA Community Care works closely with the VISN's Office of Community Care division for up-to-date utilization review standards to ensure proper authorizations are issued and appropriate correspondence is sent to the community providers / vendors. He/she acts as a liaison between the Veteran and the community providers/vendors with regard to Non-VA Medical Care, VA clinical services and/or mental health services. Tasks are often as follows (but not limited to): obtaining requested records, X-rays, labs and any pertinent information required to initiate and complete the ordered care requested in the CPRS consult. Ensures all necessary components and documentation is distributed to appropriate services at the community facility where the service will be provided. Prioritizes consults/orders requested based on priority status level, urgency, medical necessity based on VA policy and SOP. Coordinates transportation for veteran as needed, in accordance with eligibility requirements. The incumbent is responsible for communication of all administrative information between the providers, health care professional staff, administrative staff and the patient. This includes updating and verifying demographic information, verifying. insurance Information, data entry, administratively managing consultation requests and the electronic waiting list, mail correspondence and notifying the patient of the scheduled appointment with the outside providers. Responsibilities include maintaining a current knowledge of resources for accessing the directory of provider contact Information, verifying correct name, address, phone, and fax numbers of community providers and institutions, point of contact persons and updating referrals to ensure appropriate estimated cost of procedure is evident in the standardize episode of care. The Incumbent is responsible for generating correspondence to the veterans, providers and managing all incoming correspondence related to their care. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:00P Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 05425F, 05426F, 05427F, 05428F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education: Must be a graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing (Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure: Must possess a Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIIRED) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. Your qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3 Level:None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4 Level: Must have completed six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5 Level: Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes:1. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes.2. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.3. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.4. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.5. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6 Level: Must have completed at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN that includes:1.Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.2. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.3. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and] considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors.4. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.5. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.6. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff.7. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.8. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures.9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3, PART II, APPENDIX G13. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6 Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and lifting in the direct care of patients; some extended periods of sitting and/or standing.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Shaundila Bass
• Phone: 312-569-7917
• Email: [email protected]